Heady Vermont Announces Voter Registration At All Events

Decision inspired by encounter with Rep. Barney Frank

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Inspired by a chance encounter with Rep. Barney Frank at the New England Cannabis Convention in Boston, Heady Vermont will now be offering voter registration at all of its upcoming events.

Asked by Heady staffers to describe his feelings about NECANN, Rep. Frank said, “I am a little wistful, because as I look around I tell myself that I suspect a lot of these people don’t register to vote. Because if everyone in this room registered and voted regularly, we’d win this fight, and we would have won it already.”

“The Heady Vermont team really took Rep. Frank’s comments to heart,” says Heady’s Production and Events Manager Kathy Blume. “If we’re here to promote positive change in the world, and encourage the Democratic process, then that starts with getting people registered to vote.” Blume adds, “I remember when I moved here getting registered in the parking lot of Lantman’s IGA in Hinesburg. I took the Freeman’s Oath very seriously, and I suspect most new voters will as well.”

The Freeman’s Oath – the only one of its kind in the United States – reads:

Every person of the full age of eighteen years who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the following oath or affirmation, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a voter of this state:

You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the State of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.

“I loved the fact that we were pledging to vote for the best interests of Vermont over our own personal agenda,” says Blume. “It affects how you think about things. Given the insanely divisive nature of politics these days, it’s nice to get out of your own head and think about our collective well-being for a change.”

Voter registration will be available to attendees at the Vermont Cannabis and Hemp Convention next weekend, May 12-13, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Burlington. Volunteers looking to assist with voter registration efforts can email [email protected] to sign up.